A global technology outage caused by a CrowdStrike software update on Friday continued to cause disruption for travelers through U.S. airports on Sunday.
As of just after 5 p.m. Eastern time, tracking site FlightAware reported that about 1,500 U.S. flights had been canceled and more than 6,900 were delayed.
More than 400 flights were canceled in and out of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, an improvement from 724 on Saturday and 824 on Friday, but still the most of any U.S. airport, according to FlightAware.com.
United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines all temporarily grounded their aircraft on Friday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration’s status page.
Hartsfield-Jackson said in an email to Barron’s that it is working with airlines until systems are returned to normal. “Airport operational systems were not affected, but we are providing support to our passengers and employees across the facility,” it said, including implementing a “concession plan” to keep concessions open while flights are operating.
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“We are providing assistance and guidance to passengers spending the night at the airport and working with airlines to secure space in baggage reconsolidation areas. Passengers are encouraged to follow their airlines’ social media and messaging apps for the latest updates, monitor ATL.com for parking, security and concession options, and speak to a green-coated ATL Guest Services representative for airport-related information.”
Delta Airlines, which canceled more than 800 flights and delayed more than 1,600 on Sunday, according to FlightAware, said it was contacting passengers directly, acknowledging the disruptions and offering apologies and SkyMiles program miles or travel vouchers.
Delta Air Lines Chief Executive Officer Ed Bastian said Sunday that more than 3,500 Delta and Delta Connection flights had been canceled over the company’s busiest weekend of the summer, “limiting our ability to respond.”
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He apologised to affected passengers and said “cancelling a flight is always a last resort and is not something we take lightly.”
Bastian said many of Delta’s applications use the Microsoft Windows operating system that was affected by Friday’s outage, including its crew tracking tool, and were unable to effectively handle “the unprecedented number of changes caused by the outage.”
Delta said after Friday’s disruptions that teams at airports, in-flight, phone and messaging channels were “working tirelessly to care for customers as the airline works to get crews and aircraft back on line.”
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Atlanta-based Delta said it would waive fare differences for passengers with travel booked between Friday and Sunday who were rebooked by July 26, adding that customers may experience “delays” on its delta.com website and Fly Delta app due to a high volume of customer requests.
The airline will also cover eligible expenses such as meal vouchers, hotel accommodations (where available) and ground transportation.
Delta Air Lines said it was suspending unaccompanied minor travel through July 23 and that anyone with existing reservations would not be able to travel. “Please do not make any new reservations for unaccompanied minor travel,” Delta said.
United Airlines canceled 260 flights and delayed 340 on Sunday, but said most of its technology systems have been restored and are more reliable but that delays and cancellations are still to be expected. The airline is issuing waivers for customers who need to change their travel plans through United.com or the United app.
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EasyJet cancelled 168 flights on Sunday, while Endeavour Air cancelled 149 flights.
“We’ve heard reports that some airlines are only offering flight credits to passengers on canceled flights. Let me be clear: If your flight is canceled and you don’t rebook, you are entitled to a prompt refund,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on X on Saturday.
“If the airline automatically credited you but you would prefer a cash refund, let them know you would like a refund. If you are unable to receive a refund, please let us know,” the message said.
He also pointed passengers to FlightRights.gov, a government dashboard that shows which airlines are covering meals and hotels and offering free rebookings in the event of major delays or cancellations that the airline is not responsible for.
Email Janet H. Cho at janet.cho@dowjones.com
